Heli (film)

Heli is a 2013 Mexican crime drama film directed by Amat Escalante. It explores the devastating impact of the Mexican Drug War on an ordinary family in rural Guanajuato.

The film centers on Heli, a young factory worker, his wife Sabrina, their infant son, and his younger sister Estela. Estela's relationship with a teenage soldier, Beto, pulls Heli and his family into the brutal world of drug cartels and violence. After Beto steals cocaine from the cartel, the family becomes a target, leading to horrific consequences for all of them.

Heli is known for its unflinching and graphic depiction of torture and violence, aiming to expose the harsh realities of drug-related crime in Mexico. The film avoids sensationalism, instead focusing on the emotional and psychological toll that the violence takes on the characters.

The film premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where Escalante won the award for Best Director. It received mixed to positive reviews, with critics praising its realism and social commentary, while others criticized its graphic content. Heli was selected as the Mexican entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.